Health care
Report Says 1 In 4 Nigerian Fathers Not Biological Parents: Paternity Crisis
Report Says 1 In 4 Nigerian Fathers Not Biological Parents: Paternity Crisis
Report says 1 in 4 Nigerian fathers not biological parents: Paternity crisis. A new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country still returns a negative result, underscoring a persistent paternity crisis and deepening trust issues within Nigerian families.
In its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report released this week, the Lagos-based genetic testing company disclosed that 25 per cent of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 showed that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children in question.
Though slightly lower than 2024’s 27 per cent, the figure highlights what the firm calls a “worrying and consistent trend”.
“These findings are not just about science; they tell us something profound about trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today,” said Operations Manager at Smart DNA, Elizabeth Digia.
“Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing information our clients receive.”
According to the Vanguard, the report noted that firstborn children, especially sons, were significantly more likely to have negative paternity test results, with firstborn boys recording a staggering 64 per cent exclusion rate, far higher than later-born siblings.
It also revealed that immigration-related DNA testing surged to 13.1 per cent of all tests, a direct result of Nigeria’s escalating emigration wave, popularly dubbed the “Japa” phenomenon.
This marks a sharp increase from previous years as more families seek documentation for foreign relocation.
“Many of our clients are dual-citizenship families processing DNA documentation for children, often as part of long-term emigration plans,” the report noted.
Another key finding was that 88.2 per cent of all paternity tests were initiated by men, with only 11.8 per cent coming from women. Older men, particularly those aged 41 and above, accounted for nearly half (45.5 per cent) of all tests, suggesting financial stability plays a major role in initiating paternity verification.
Children between ages 0 and 5 made up the majority of those tested, at 58.6 per cent, up from 54 per cent in the previous year.
According to analysts, this shows a growing trend of parents seeking early clarity to avoid future complications.
While Lagos State still accounted for the bulk of DNA testing (69 per cent), the report shows a shift in demand from the Mainland to the Island. Lekki (20.3 per cent), Yaba (15.8 per cent), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5 per cent each), and Surulere and Ikeja (9 per cent each) ranked as top testing hubs.
Ethnic distribution of clients showed a continued dominance by Yoruba families (53 per cent), followed by Igbo (31.3 per cent).
Hausa participation remained minimal at 1.2 per cent, suggesting significant cultural differences in attitudes toward paternity testing.
A vast majority—83.7 per cent—of DNA tests were done for “peace of mind” rather than legal requirements, with court-mandated tests accounting for just 1.4 per cent.
The gender of tested children also revealed cultural leanings: 53.8 per cent were male, pointing to continued emphasis on verifying male lineage for reasons possibly linked to inheritance and family name preservation.

Paternity Crisis
The report calls for urgent legal reform, noting Nigeria lacks specific laws addressing paternity fraud, unlike countries such as South Africa. It also recommends that public health policies integrate DNA testing into family planning and premarital counselling frameworks.
“We’re seeing more people come forward with doubts they’ve harboured for years,” Digia said. “Some of these cases involve emotional trauma and even financial exploitation. A policy framework is overdue.”
Smart DNA emphasised that its report is based on anonymised data from real cases and does not represent the general population.
“Our figures reflect those who already had reason to question paternity, and as such, the results should not be extrapolated to all Nigerian families,” the firm explained.
Abuja
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency lines. The FCTA said all public hFCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency linesospitals have sufficient antivenom after singer Ifunanya Nwangene’s death at FMC Jabi. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe warned facilities to follow protocols or face sanctions, stressing that early treatment is critical.

FCTA
The territory has added 12 ambulances, improved ICUs, and centralized antivenom storage.
Residents are urged to use emergency lines 090157892931 or 090157892932.
Economy
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident doctors give FG four weeks to meet demands. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare.
The decision was taken at the end of the association’s national executive council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau state.
In a communiqué signed by Mohammad Suleiman, NARD president, the association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements.
The NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the ministry of labour and employment and the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35 percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance arrears.
NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the minister of finance that payments would be expedited.
However, the association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors.
It also decried the non-payment of the professional allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act and persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The association warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent action, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
“The NEC demands the expeditious clearance of the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears within the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” the communique reads.

Doctors
“The NEC demands the prompt payment of all promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in line with the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment within the next four (4) weeks.
“The NEC demands the expedited payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been duly forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assured four (4) week timeline.
“After exhaustive deliberations and in recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for a further period of four (4) weeks as a further goodwill gesture, to allow for the full implementation of the Association’s demands.”
The association had earlier suspended its plan to commence another strike on January 12.
The doctors said this was done after firm commitments from critical stakeholders following Shettima’s intervention.
Economy
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo government unveils construction of model veterinary hospital. Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
The Kogi government has advanced the construction of a model veterinary hospital, a flagship project under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project.
The facility, to be built at the Cattle Value Cluster Osara, Adavi LGA, aims to strengthen animal health systems, improve livestock productivity, and enhance food safety and security.
Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
Mr Bolarin described the project as a strategic investment in improved animal health service delivery, disease prevention, and control to improve livestock productivity in Kogi.
He noted that the project would revolutionise the state’s livestock sector by providing modern veterinary services, enhancing disease surveillance, and promoting the One Health approach.
He thanked the federal government, the World Bank, and the national L-PRES office for their support, saying the project aligns with the state’s developmental agenda and livestock transformation roadmap.
Mr Bolarin praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for his visionary leadership to transform the livestock sector into a modern, productive and resilient contributor to food security, public health and economic development.

Ahmed Ododo
The commissioner urged contractors to comply with approved designs, timelines, and quality specifications.
The project coordinator, Abdulkabir Otaru, said the hospital would address challenges faced by livestock farmers, including limited access to quality veterinary services and inadequate disease surveillance.
Mr Otaru emphasised that the facility will provide modern veterinary clinical services, disease diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, and support improved animal disease surveillance and response capacity.
He commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for the project and for promptly paying the State counterpart funding for the implementation of the L-PRES project in Kogi.
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